Self-closing container



Dec. 23, 1947. E. MOEN l SELF-CLOSING CONTAINER Filed Jan. 5, 1945 INVENTOR. 'Ed win Moan BY W 1. 4.

Patented Dec. 23, 1947 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SELF-CLOSING CONTAINER Edwin Moen, New York, N. Y.

Application January 5, 1945, Serial No. 571,403

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to improvements in containers for granular material, powder and the like, to be carried in a handbag or pocket, and more specifically the invention relates to an improved self-closing top cover for such containers.

If granular material, powder or the like is being carried in a small pocket container, it is necessary to close the same carefully so that its contents will not fall out of the container while the same is being carried in a pocket, handbag or the like. Various devices for insuring proper closing of such containers have been developed. Most of them, however, are either too heavy and too expensive for the purpose for which they are intended or they do not close safely at all times, particularly after the device has been in use for a long period of time.

It is, therefore, the main object of the present invention to provide an improved self-closing container which closes safely when a handle or the like is released and the automatic closing mechanism of which is protected so that it cannot be impaired by other articles which also may be carried in a pocket or handbag and which may come in close contact with the container or with its closure mechanism.

Another object of the present invention is a device of the character described which can be opened by a finger of the same hand which holds the container and for the manipulation of which no specific skill or care is necessary.

A third object of the present invention is to provide a simple device for the purpose stated above, which is light in weight and simple in construction to be manufactured and sold at a very reasonable price.

Further objects of the instant invention reside in any novel feature of construction or operation or novel combination of parts present in the embodiment of the invention described and shown in the accompanying drawing whether within or without the scope of the appended claims and irrespective of other specific statements as to the scope of the invention contained herein.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation partially in section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a partial cross-section view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring now to the drawing, numeral I denotes a box body of plastic material, light metal,

Wood, sturdy cardboard or any other suitable material, which is preferably elliptical in cross section, as may be seen in Fig. 1, and top cover 2 of which has a recessed portion 3 which is provided with an aperture 4 at one end. A plate 5 is slidably arranged on said recessed portion 3 and is guided by guides B which are preferably formed as a unit with the top cover 2. A rod 1 is secured to plate 5 in any suitable manner and is extended into a horizontal bore 8 in the top cover 2. The front portion 9 of rod I is bent so as to form a handle adapted to manipulate conveniently the plate 5 as shown in Fig. 2. A spring Ill, preferably a coiled spring as in the instance shown, is wound around a part of rod 1 and rests with one end against the nut-recessed portion of the top cover 2 at H and with its other end against the bent portion 9 of rod 1.

Spring II] has a tendency of pushing plate 5 and rod 1 towards the aperture 4 so that plate 5 Will close the aperture 4 when the handle 9 is released. In order to open the aperture 4 for the purpose of taking out some of the contents of the container, one can hold the container in one hand and shift the handle 9 with the thumb away from aperture 8. In this way it is possible to open the container with one hand, namely the same hand with which one holds the container. The fact that the spring II], the plate 5 and the major portion of rod 1 are located within the recessed portion 4 of the top cover 2 will'alford protection of these movable parts so that the same cannot be impaired while the device is being carried in a bag or pocket to get other articles.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a single modification, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent in the United States is:

1. A self-closing container comprising a box body which is substantially elliptical in crosssection and the top cover of which has an open recessed portion with an aperture therein, a plate slidably arranged in said recessed portion of said top cover and adapted to close said aperture, guides secured to said recessed top cover portion and adapted to engage the side edges of said plate, a rod secured to said plate and having a front portion which is bent so as to form a handle and a straight rear portion which is slidable in a bore that extends horizontally from said recessed portion into said top cover, and a spring one end of which rests against the bent front portion of said rod and the other end of which rests against a vertical part of said recessed portion of said top cover, said spring being: adapted" to push said plate over said aperture, all substantially as described.

2. A self-closing container comprising a box body which is substantially elliptical in crosssection and Whose top cover is partially recessed and has an aperture in its recessed end portion, a plate slidably arranged inthe recessed:portion of said top cover and adapted to close said aperture, guides formed as a unit with said'recessed top cover portion and adapted to engage the side edges of said'plate, a rod'secured t'oxsaidiplate and havingra frontportion which is-bentso; as

to form a handle and a straight rear portion which is slidable in a horizontal bore which extends from said recessed portion into said top cover, and a coiled spring one end of which rests against the bent front portion of said rod and the other end of which rests against an upright wall portion of the recessed portion of said top cover, said spring being adapted to push said plate over said aperture, all substantially as described.

EDWIN MOEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patentz UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 562,577 Clasen June 23, 1896 15311273 Hackbirt July 29, 1919 581,293 Leggett Apr. 27, 1897 1,090,264 Adams Mar. 17, 1914 1;949,5 23- Wilson Mar. 6, 1934 

